Walking In Truth

You might look back on a situation and realize there were some good and valid reasons why that played out the way it did. It may not have made sense at the moment, but you come to appreciate why it happened, as you reflect on it more and more. Likely, this is how the disciples felt, after experiencing Jesus’ death on the cross. They didn’t understand it all as it was happening, but they came to learn the reasons why He did it. Today, Pastor Johnny further explains why Jesus came to die.

When you think about planting a crop, you know that you have to plant a seed in the ground, in order for it to grow up and be plentiful. What’s so interesting is that God uses these practical examples for you to understand the bigger picture. In today’s teaching, Pastor Johnny talks about how Jesus represented this type of planting for harvest, as He spoke of being buried, and then coming alive. By doing this, He brings others along and has a fruitful harvest of people who believe and are forever changed!

When you look at a puzzle that’s in front of you, you might stare at it and stare at it, but not be able to find the solution. But once you come to a realization of the answer, you notice it was right there in front of you the whole time. You just couldn’t see it at first glance, or second, or third. The nation of Israel was not too far off from this type of scenario when Jesus came into Jerusalem. Pastor Johnny expresses in his teaching today that these people should’ve known and seen what was happening.

If you’ve ever been to a circus, you know that’s it’s quite a spectacle and a display of skill and performance. The grandness of it all leaves you in a state of awe and wonder. Pastor Johnny teaches today about how the Romans would enter the city after a triumph. It wasn’t too different from a circus performance. Just a bit grander. But when Jesus entered Jerusalem a week before His death, there was a different kind of feel…one of humility and peace, not pride.

There’s a reason why people wear perfume or cologne. It has a strong scent that sticks with you wherever you go that day. Many times, it’s a pleasant smell that can leave a room feeling cleaner, or put together. The type of scent that Pastor Johnny’s talking about today isn’t one you smell with your nose. It’s a fragrance that pours out of you in how you live, and the type of odor that you present, through your attitude and heart. Does your heart have a pleasing smell or one that people run from?

You tend to appreciate something when it cost you a fair amount of money, or you had to save up a long time for it. If it didn’t come at a cost, then you probably wouldn’t care as much about it, or you might get rid of it sooner than later. It might not matter to you. Well today, Pastor Johnny wants you to realize that anything you bring to God, as an act of worship, will cost you. You may miss out on something else because of your commitment to Him. But it’s ok because God is honored.

In autumn, there’s a crispness to the air, and there’s even a smell of fall that signifies that the seasons are changing. There’s the scent of leaves as they’re falling and decaying, and a chill that’s noticeably different than before. Perhaps there’s an aroma of apples or pumpkins, that have been harvested. Well today, Pastor Johnny expresses a different fragrance that was in the air….. more so, a willingness to act out what it looks like to worship, and how that can be noticed, like perfume!

The Lord is so good! His kindness and blessings are on His children, always. But the choice to partake in the life God has for you is yours. Today, Pastor Johnny will give you the opportunity to radically transform yourself by making a decision – a decision to let Jesus pay for your sins and begin to follow Him. If you’ve already given your life to Christ, we’re so glad you’re here today! And if you’ve been on the fence, then we’re glad you’re here today too! Today you’ll learn more about just how incredible Jesus is!

There is hope in your situation, even though you feel hopeless! There is peace to be found, as you just heard Pastor Johnny say. Today, you’ll join Jesus and His disciples in what seemed like a hopeless situation, but was it? Jesus could have changed the current circumstances, but He had a better plan. He has a better plan for you too. And right now, Jesus has all the comfort and peace you need to sustain you as He works it all out for your good and for His glory. So turn to Him today – and trust in His goodness!

As you heard Pastor Johnny say, God is STILL good and worthy of your praise! Even with nations across the world imploding. Even with a virus still taking lives and causing division. Even when you pray day after day and seem to get no answer, no direction – your Creator has a plan, and it’s exactly what you need! Pastor Johnny will be encouraging you today to TRUST God and keep coming to Him in prayer. Praise Him for what you know He WILL do in your life, as well as for what He’s already done!

Think about your walk with Christ – is it private? Are you keeping the love and grace you’ve been given all to yourself? Salvation was never meant to be ONLY for you – and Pastor Johnny will be urging you today to give it to others! Let them in on the greatest gift ever to be given – LIFE! This world, as you already know, is desperate for hope. And what better hope is there than Jesus? So stop staying silent today – shout His love from the rooftops, everywhere, to everyone!

A parent naturally protects a child. They watch for danger, hold tightly to your hand, and stand in the gap to prevent anything evil from getting to you. Pastor Johnny will be telling you today how incredible your Heavenly Father is because He does the same for you – but on a much grander scale! God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save you from death. To forever save you from the enemy’s grasp. And just like a child, all you need to do is to trust Him – because He is completely trustworthy.

You can hear from God! He does speak, and He wants to have that kind of relationship with you. But as Pastor Johnny will talk about today, there could be something that you’re doing that’s hindering your ability to hear Him! Is there sin in your life that you know about, but are unwilling to repent of? Or maybe you’re not setting aside the time to actually spend with the Lord! Whatever the problem is, take steps to remedy it today. Your life will be richer with the presence and voice of God in it daily!

When you have a toddler, you have to be careful because they’ll put anything in their mouths, thinking it’s something yummy to eat. But what they’re grabbing could be bird poop, or a penny, or some other thing that could be damaging to their body. So as a parent, you look out for them and stop them from doing something harmful. Well, Jesus is the same in His care for you! Today, Pastor Johnny reminds you that Jesus is a caring and Good Shepherd, who looks out for you and protects you from harm.

When you think of your parents, you may not appreciate everything they did while you were growing up. But as you become a parent, you realize that what they did was for your good…because they cared! This is what Pastor Johnny is getting at today as he shares about Jesus being a Good Shepherd. Sometimes, He leads and guides in ways that aren’t preferred, but He knows what’s best, and He’s looking out for you in every possible way! So trust His shepherding of your heart!

Wouldn’t it be appropriate to have a little league team named after sheep? They don’t know what they’re doing, but they’re just following whatever their coach tells them to do. They’re just learning and sometimes might really mess up. This is exactly how sheep tend to be….following the leader, but getting themselves into danger or situations that they weren’t aware of. Thankfully, Pastor Johnny tells you today about a Coach who will guide, protect, and lead you in a way that will help you in the long run!

There’s a difference between being a rule-follower for the sake of keeping the rule, versus understanding the heart behind a law or a regulation. When you follow the speed limit, is it to make sure you’re following every detail of the rule, for the sake of obeying, or is it because you realize there’s a reason for it? It might be for your safety, or for your good. In today’s passage, Pastor Johnny takes a different spin on the rule-following mentality. People in Jesus’ time were all about following the rules and missed the heart.

Light has a convincing effect on everything that it touches. It exposes the criminal that’s spraying graffiti. It puts someone in the spotlight when they’re on stage for all to see. The light of the sun has a way of lifting moods and bringing a sense of hopefulness. So if light is such a good thing, why do people insist on staying in the dark? Well, it’s easy to hide things in the dark, and that’s exactly where your enemy wants you to be! But Pastor Johnny calls you to something else today, so open your eyes!

Imagine being in a dark cave, where you can’t see anything in front of you. The darkness is nearly maddening because there’s nowhere to go, and you don’t know what to do. Think about how much easier it is with even just a flicker of light in that cave. You can find a path, or discover a treasure, but it’s because of that helpful light that assists your sight. Today, Pastor Johnny wants you to see that the light you need is Jesus in your life. Without Him, you’re walking around blindfolded, and you need to see Him!

When your life has all played out, whose opinion of you is going to matter most? Your spouse? Your children or grandchildren? Your students, co-workers, or people you’ve mentored? How about caring most about how God views you? This isn’t talked about in society, but today, Pastor Johnny wants you to take much consideration of God’s opinion of you…not the world’s. What have you done that would honor and please God? If you’re not sure how to answer, hear more today for some clues.